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http://wosu.org/2012/wp-content/themes/wosu-child-home/images/wosu_public_media_120_27.jpg12575Former department of parks director pleads guitly to theft, tamperinghttp://wosu.org/2012/news/2006/11/21/former-department-of-parks-director-pleads-guitly-to-theft-tampering/
http://wosu.org/2012/news/2006/11/21/former-department-of-parks-director-pleads-guitly-to-theft-tampering/#commentsTue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000Steve Brownhttp://wosu.org/2012/news/2006/11/21/former-department-of-parks-director-pleads-guitly-to-theft-tampering/The former head of the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks and the sister of a member of the Parks Board have pleaded guilty to felony theft and tampering charges. The charges come in the wake of allegations that the department director paid the employee for work she did not do.

]]>In Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Wayne Roberts and Krystal Griffin admitted that for more than four years Griffin was paid as a part-time employee, but did not perform any work for the department. Griffin is the sister of former Ohio State football player and Recreation and Parks board member Archie Griffin.

Roberts also admitted to taking Krystal Griffin on two taxpayer-funded trips. Both have waived their right to a trial and asked to proceed directly to sentencing. Attorney Sam Shamansky represents Griffin, and Phillip Templeton represents Roberts.

“On behalf of Krystal Griffin, she understands she does have the right to have this matter submitted to a grand jury,” Shamansky says. “She waives that right, asks the court to accept her waiver, and allow this matter to proceed by way of bill of information.”

Both have been charged with tampering with records for allegedly falsifying time sheets. Griffin is also charged with theft in office, while Roberts is charged with complicity to commit theft. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Blake says the two theft charges are essentially the same.

“In the eyes of the law there is no difference,” Blake says. “It’s theft. (It carries the) same penalty, same time. The judge will treat them exactly the same.”

Judge Michael Holbrook ordered the pair to pay more than $80,000 dollars to cover wages and benefits received by Griffin, as well as the cost of the police investigation. Sentencing for both is scheduled for January 29. Each faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and $20,000 dollars in fines.

Officials hope Saturday's game between top-ranked Ohio State and second-ranked Michigan won't end in a night of rioting as it did four years ago. Even so, they say there will be an increased post-game police presence to deter any violence.

Officials hope Saturday’s game between top-ranked Ohio State and second-ranked Michigan won’t end in a night of rioting as it did four years ago. Beat Michigan Week got underway at OSU yesterday. At an afternoon press conference city and university leaders urged fans to celebrate appropriately. Even so, they say there will be an increased post-game police presence to deter any violence.

OSU students say they don’t know if there will be violence or not following this Saturday’s Ohio State – Michigan game.

“I hope it will be peace. I feel pretty safe.”

“I don’t think there will be riots because everybody knows there will be stiff penalties.”

“I hope it’s good. I don’t know whether it will be good or not. People will probably riot. Last year wasn’t bad, I don’t think.”

Officials hope to head off the kind of rioting that occurred in 2002 when fans overturned and set fire to cars and furniture in the streets near campus. Columbus public safety director Mitchell Brown says that sort of violence will not be tolerated again.

“I’m not going to go into all the details, but I can assure you that individuals that act inappropriately and chose to be disruptive, all you need to do is look around, look over your shoulder and there will be a Columbus police officer who will be prepared to deal with the problem.”

Mayor Coleman urged fans not to tarnish Columbus’s image. He asked them to celebrate “a victory with class.” OSU Vice President for Student Affairs Rich Hollingsworth said he’ll be emailing students this week reminding them to obey the law and the code of student conduct or face suspension from school. The university is also running a new “Best Fans in the Land” ad campaign. The spots include personalities like Archie Griffin urging a sportsman-like approach to the game.

Two-time Buckeye Heisman winner Archie Griffin: I’ve played a little football in the Shoe and I can tell you that a championship team needs championship fans. Screaming fan: O! H! Buckeye captain Troy Smith: Thanks for cheering us on. Screaming crowd: O! H! Former Buckeye track star Stephanie Hightower: Let’s make the team and city… Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman: … proud of us. Cheer loud. (Fans cheering) Men’s basketball coach Thad Matta: No matter what the sport… Griffin: Cheer for the team, not against the opponent Crowd: Go Bucks! Basketball player Stephanie Blanton: Make our guests feel welcome.”

Some students say they think authorities will have their hands full. Art majors Erin Kolsky and Alden Byrd.

“There will probably be riots regardless of whether they win or lose,” Kolsky said.

“Alcohol plays a huge part of that,” Byrd added.

Kolsky says she thinks the presence of police will be the most significant deterrent.

“The police in the riot gear, with the shields, and the horses, I think the riot gear police is going to be the most effective.”